Mentoring at The Table

Thrive Collective in partnership with The Leadership Foundation, Brotherhood Restored and Exalt NYC

Young men need a safe place to share their stories, dreams and struggles. A place where they have a seat at the table. Where they can speak and be heard, show up and be seen. A place where they can listen and learn from the their peers while gleaning from the experiences of their elders and mentors. A place where it’s okay to be quiet. Or to speak up. To laugh and enjoy a good meal with an intergenerational group of men.

Together with our mentors, mentees and partners we endeavored to create that space once a month at The Point CDC in the Bronx and online via zoom meetings when necessary. We aimed to prioritize sessions that would position participants to understand themselves and their place in the world by encouraging openness and vulnerability, deconstructing societal paradigms of manhood, and helping them identify their unique gifts and talents while exploring themes such as Identity, Community, Purpose and Action. The mentoring program culminated with a delicious lunch meeting at Dallas BBQs in Manhattan where mentors and mentees celebrated their progress together at the table.